Making a Christmas charcuterie board is the most fun you'll have all season. If you're looking for the perfect appetizer for the holidays, you've found it!
They're not difficult to make and can be as simple or elaborate as you'd like. They can be made ahead of time, can feed people with an assortment of dietary needs, and they're absolutely gorgeous! It's hands down the easiest way to feed a holiday crowd while making the table look like a celebration.
I started making Christmas charcuterie boards years ago. The first time, I'd popped into Trader Joe's looking for appetizer ideas, and had already put five different cheeses along with prosciutto and salami in my cart. (These days, I usually start with a $75 Trader Joe's board for holiday parties and add a few festive touches.)
Then I found the dried sliced oranges and all the cute little Christmas treats they carry at this time of the year. By the time I hit the olive aisle, I had my first board completely mapped out.
I've been making them every year ever since. It's one of the things I look forward to most during the holidays. Sometimes it's a tree, sometimes a wreath, sometimes a regular round board, and (depending on the number of people coming) sometimes all three! They're different every time, which is what makes it so much fun.
What to put on a Christmas charcuterie board
Start with the same building blocks as any board (our guide to how to make a charcuterie board walks through the basics), then focus on holiday colors and flavors:
- Meats: Salami and pepperoni for red, plus prosciutto, which folds easily into ribbons and rosettes. See our list of the best meats for a charcuterie board for more.
- Cheeses: Brie or camembert, a sharp white cheddar, a cranberry-studded Wensleydale or goat cheese, and something firm like Manchego that's easy to cut into stars with a cookie cutter.
- Festive fruit: Red and green grapes, pomegranate arils, sugared cranberries, sliced pears and clementine segments. Sugared Prosecco grapes look like they've been dusted with snow!
- Jams and spreads: Bacon fig jam, blackberry jalapeño jam, cranberry sauce or whipped brie in a small bowl (or two).
- For some crunch: Crackers, breadsticks, candied pecans and homemade crostini. A platter of apple and brie crostini next to the board is always a hit, too.
- Greenery: Try fresh rosemary sprigs (they look just like tiny evergreen branches), although thyme and sage are also really pretty. (Only use fresh herbs and edible garnishes, not decorative greenery like holly or mistletoe, which are toxic.)
For more ideas, see our guide to the best charcuterie accoutrements.
Christmas charcuterie board ideas
1. Christmas tree charcuterie board
Arrange your ingredients in horizontal rows that get wider toward the bottom to form a triangle: a row of rosemary, then cheese cubes, then folded salami, then more rosemary, and so on.
Add pomegranate arils or cranberries as "ornaments," a star cut from a slice of cheese for the top, and a few pretzel rods or breadsticks for the trunk. A long rectangular board works best, or use a tree-shaped board if you can find one.
The stunning Christmas tree board above was shared with us by Briar Hill Gourmet (the photo credit belongs to them). We asked them to share what's on the board so you can recreate it yourself (or reach out to them and they'll make one for you)! You can also follow them on Instagram for more charcuterie inspiration.
We're absolutely in love with this board. The different sizes of salami roses, the sliced plums, and the overall attention to detail have us swooning!
Here's their ingredient list, in their own words:
- a log of blueberry goat cheese that I made myself, brie, manchego, havarti
- mild and spicy salami, prosciutto, cacciatore sausage
- kalamata olives, Castelvetrano olives, gherkins
- grapes, persimmons, plums, blueberries, raspberries, figs
- pretzel sticks for the tree trunk and rosemary sprigs for garnish
The board was arranged on a 17 x 12-inch tree-shaped palm leaf board, and it came with a box of crackers and a jar of Briar Hill Gourmet's homemade apple butter on the side.
2. Christmas wreath charcuterie board
On a round board or platter, start by placing a small bowl for dip or jam in the center. Make a ring of rosemary sprigs around the bowl, then add folded salami, prosciutto, cheese cubes, grapes and cranberries around it so the "wreath" looks full. If you like, you can finish with a "bow" made from strips of red bell pepper or a ribbon of prosciutto.
Here's a Christmas wreath board in progress (at this stage, all that's left to do is add some berries, nuts, and a small dish of whipped cheese with crackers on the side):
You can also keep it even simpler and arrange charcuterie skewers like the Christmas wreath board below. Add a bowl of dip to the center and your board is done!
3. Candy cane charcuterie board
A long rectangular board works best here (unless you find a candy cane-shaped board or plate). Shape a candy cane hook by alternating red and white ingredients in stripes: salami, pepperoni, or cherry tomatoes next to bocconcini (mozzarella balls) or cubes of white cheddar or provolone. Fill the rest of the board with crackers, grapes and greenery so the red and white colors of the candy cane really pop!
4. Christmas dessert board
There's no meat on a dessert board, although a bit of cheese will still work here. Think Christmas cookies, peppermint bark, chocolate-dipped pretzels, fudge, berries and a bowl of whipped cream or chocolate dip. Our dessert charcuterie board guide covers how to build one. For a pie-centered version, see my Thanksgiving dessert board.
5. Christmas charcuterie boxes (for gifts)
I make Christmas charcuterie boxes for my immediate neighbors every holiday season. They also make thoughtful gifts for friends, teachers, and coworkers. Fill them with a mini assortment of meat, cheese, crackers and a little jar of jam, then tie the box with ribbon (or twine with a sprig of rosemary).
I also like to hit up World Market or Trader Joe's around the holidays for some little seasonal treats to add, as well as a little jar of honey with a small honey dipper (you can find the dippers everywhere from Amazon to Walmart). Here's how to make a charcuterie box, and for a fun twist, try a Christmas-themed snackle box.
6. A small Christmas Eve board for two
Not every board needs to feed a crowd. A small board with one great cheese (warm air fryer brie is perfect), a little prosciutto, fruit, crackers and a glass of something sparkling makes for a cozy night in. I've even made a board just for me and it's always such a treat!
7. A Classic Round Christmas Board
Here's a board that was shared with us by a Redditor in the charcuterie community. We thought they did a great job so we wanted to share! (We were given permission to share the photo but they did not want any type of photo credit so we're honoring that.)
Make-ahead tips for a stress-free holiday
- Prep the day before: Cube or slice cheeses, fold meats, wash fruit and make any jams or dips. Store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge.
- Assemble close to serving: Build the board within an hour or two of guests arriving. Add any crackers and crostini last so they stay as fresh as possible.
- Let cheese warm up a little: Most cheeses taste best after about 30 minutes out of the fridge.
- Don't leave it sitting out too long: Perishable foods like meat and cheese shouldn't sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If your party will be going longer than that, use a smaller board that you can refill as the night goes on.
How much meat and cheese per person?
If you're serving your Christmas board as an appetizer, plan on about 2 ounces of meat and 2 ounces of cheese per person. If the board is the main meal, double it. Our free charcuterie calculator will build a full shopping list for your guest count. If you're not sure what size board you need, read through our guide to charcuterie board dimensions.
A festive finishing touch
Place a little chalkboard sign next to your board with a personal holiday greeting or one of our funny charcuterie quotes. It makes the party a bit more personal and always gets a few laughs!
Christmas charcuterie board FAQ
How far ahead can I make a Christmas charcuterie board?
Prep the ingredients up to a day ahead, but assemble the board within an hour or two of serving. If you need to build it earlier, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it, then add the crackers just before serving.
What makes a charcuterie board look Christmasy?
Color and shape do most of the work. Stick to red, green and white ingredients, tuck in rosemary sprigs for an evergreen look, and arrange everything into a festive shape like a tree, wreath or candy cane.
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